Coasts of Cape York (14 page)

After the parade the flight was marched inside and seated in rows of chairs in the lecture area. Flight Lt Comstock then introduced Mr Jemmerling. He spent the next 40 minutes describing his collection, illustrating his talk with photos projected by a Litepro data projector. Willy found it very interesting and it made him aware of what a huge gap there had been in his knowledge about an entire area of aviation.

When Mr Jemmerling had finished speaking he answered questions and the cadets were then allowed to look at the items on display on the side table. Much of this was in the form of literature and that got Willy's interest as well. He flicked through a dozen books and brochures, collecting any of the pamphlets that were free.

The flight was then told to move outside and form up in threes. They were then marched off by the WOD. He marched them through a gap between two hangars and out onto the apron fronting the ‘General Aviation' hangars. A hundred metres to the left the ‘Catalina' was parked. Seeing the aircraft really sparked Willy's interest. For the next twenty minutes he happily explored the machine, touching it and enjoying the smell and feel of it. There were two crewmen inside and they took the cadets inside in groups of six.

The interior was different from Mr Southall's plane. There were two cabins with beds and an office as well as a larger saloon-dining cabin. The whole thing was more comfortable. Because of the short time and the crowding Willy did not enjoy the tour as much as he would have liked but he savoured the couple of minutes on the flight deck, where he sat in the pilot's seat and lightly touched the controls.

‘I will be able to fly planes like this one day,' he thought.

With so many cadets wanting to look in the flight deck Willy had to reluctantly give up the seat and move back outside. There he looked around the hull of the plane. On the side of the bow he found a name painted in white paint.
Pterodactyl
it read. ‘They were pre-historic dinosaurs that could fly. What a good name!' he thought.

The cadets were then marched back to the hut and fallen out for a canteen break. During this Willy looked at more of Mr Jemmerling's display. As he did he saw that Mr Jemmerling was now talking to Stick and Noddy. When Stick nodded his head to some question he was asked by Mr Jemmerling and then moved over to where a large air navigation chart of the whole of Queensland north of Cairns was pinned to the wall, a tiny niggle of concern crossed Willy's mind. ‘I hope he isn't going to tell that Jemmerling man where our wrecks are,' he thought.

Feeling anxious about what their conversation might be about Willy hurried towards them. As he did he was dismayed to see Stick's hand go up and his finger tap the chart in the Bathurst Bay area. ‘Oh no! He hasn't!' he thought, speeding up.

As he reached the group Willy distinctly heard Mr Jemmerling say, “And it is a ‘Kittyhawk' is it?”

Willy was appalled and furious but he tried to hide it. He pushed rudely in and said, “Stick, you are needed outside by the CO.”

“Eh? What?” replied the puzzled Stick.

Willy did not wait to explain. He gripped Stick's arm and propelled him towards the door. As he did he gave Mr Jemmerling a neutral look and said, “Excuse me sir, Air Cadet business. Come on Noddy, you are needed too.”

By then they had moved four or five paces. Stick frowned and then complained, “Hey! What? Why does the CO want me?”

“He doesn't!” Willy hissed in his ear. “But you were showing that man where our wrecked plane is and we promised not to do that.”

“But.. but I only.. I.. er.. He just asked if I knew of any,” Stick replied. A look of understanding crossed his face and he glanced back at Mr Jemmerling.

“Don't look back, and don't look guilty,” Willy grated angrily. Then he spotted Marjorie and Vicki walking the other way. “Noddy, get Marjorie and Vicki to come with us,” he ordered.

To his relief Noddy obeyed without argument. Willy marched Stick outside and around the corner. “Now tell us what he said, and what you told him,” he snapped.

“Oh, nothing much,” Stick muttered. He now looked very crestfallen. “He just said he was looking for aircraft wrecks and Noddy said, ‘So are we.' He then asked if I knew where there were any and I.. er.. Noddy..er..said we were going to get a ‘Kittyhawk' in a few weeks time after school finished.”

“So you told Noddy as well?” Willy said accusingly.

Stick nodded and looked very unhappy. “Yeah, well. Yeah, but he's a mate and he knows we are going looking anyway.”

“Yeah, but he didn't know where,” Willy grated.

Marjorie, Noddy and Vicki joined them. Willy did not let up. “Keep going. What else did that man say?” he said.

“Well, he just asked where it was. He didn't sound very interested or anything,” Stick replied defensively.

“But you showed him,” Willy stated.

Stick hung his head. “I.. I just didn't think. He seemed such a nice guy.”

“He probably is,” Willy answered, “But we promised not to tell anyone, so let's all make sure we keep our lips sealed.”

Vicki looked puzzled so Willy said, “Sorry Vicki. We promised someone not to talk about something. Nothing against you but we can't explain.”

“Fine by me,” Vicki answered.

“Thanks,” Willy said, giving her a reassuring smile. Then he turned to the others, “Now, be careful what you say please. Noddy, please promise not to tell anyone.”

“Yeah, OK,” Noddy replied.

“What if that man talks to us again?” Stick asked.

“Then be vague and point to somewhere hundreds of kilometres from where we plan to go,” Willy answered.

At that moment the W.O.D. began calling the cadets to form up for Passing-Out Parade rehearsal. The drill then became Willy's dominant concern but he did glimpse Mr Jemmerling watching from the sidelines and that bothered him. As the parade was the following weekend he made a special effort to get the drill perfect. ‘Or those army and navy cadets will tease us something chronic,' he thought.

When the rehearsal was finished Willy noted Mr Jemmerling shaking hands with the CO. Mr Jemmerling then climbed into a car and drove away. ‘Good!' thought Willy. ‘That is one less worry.'

The cadets were dismissed soon after. On the dismissal parade they were reminded of the invitation to go and watch the Navy Cadet parade the following afternoon. Quite a number of cadets put their hands up to indicate they intended going.

As they walked towards the car park afterwards Marjorie said, “Can we get a lift to the Navy Cadets with you Willy?”

“Let's ask my Mum,” Willy replied. He knew that Marjorie's parents were not very well off and only had one old car for the family, while his parents both had their own new cars. Willy's mother was quite agreeable to this so times were agreed. She then said, “In the car William.”

“Yes Mum,” Willy replied. He cast a ‘meaningful' look at Marjorie and whispered, “Wish I was going home with you.”

“Me too!” Marjorie whispered back, giving him a sad, big-eyed look in return.

It was obvious to Willy that she wanted to hug him and give him a kiss but there were other cadets and officers around so he gave a slight shake of the head and climbed quickly into the car. But that look of promised pleasures kept his imagination aflame and he spent hours lying in bed in a highly aroused state that night.

 

 

CHAPTER 9

 

PARADES AND PROBLEMS

 

Willy really enjoyed the Navy Cadet parade. It did not have the numbers or the marching spectacle of the Army Cadet parade but he still found it impressive. Partly it was the setting and partly the uniforms. The navy cadets stood facing the setting sun. This shone on their white uniforms so that the cloth appeared to glow. The sunlight also shimmered on the blades of the swords and cutlasses held by the Cadet Midshipmen and petty officers.

A dozen air cadets in their best blue uniforms stood in a group behind the chairs occupied by the parents and guests. With them stood nine army cadets, including Graham, Peter, Stephen and Roger. Beside them stood Barbara and the female corporal who was her section commander, Gwen. Among the guests was Captain Conkey and he gave Willy and his friends a welcome smile before he sat down. Flight Lt Comstock was there too but he merely returned Willy's salute and gave the group of air cadets a brief nod.

The reviewing officer was a navy captain, resplendent in dress whites and with a bright splash of colour made by his medals. Willy had to admire the officer's caps with their gleaming black brim and startling white top. The sun glinting on the gold leaves on the brim of the navy captain's cap added another touch to the spectacle.

‘This looks really good,' Willy thought.

Obviously some of his friends were not as impressed, or at least pretending not to be. Stick sneered and muttered, “Their drill isn't nearly as good as ours.”

‘It probably isn't,' Willy thought. But despite that he enjoyed watching, and liked seeing the little differences in the way things were done. His gaze roved along the ranks of navy cadets while they were being inspected. ‘There is Andrew,' he noted. ‘He looks very proud of himself. And there is his sister Carmen.' For a good few seconds he studied Carmen. She was in Year 11 and was the petty officer standing at the rear of the group on Willy's left. ‘She looks very attractive,' he thought. It was honest admiration, quite different from his hopeless adoration of Barbara.

After the first group had been inspected the Cadet Midshipman commanding the second group, a very reliable looking youth, called them to attention. “Port Watch… Ho!” he cried.

“Hoe what, the garden?” jibed Noddy.

“Hard a port!” said Stephen, just loudly enough to make a few parent's heads turn.

“Pass the port more likely, at least with that bunch,” Stick added.

The army and navy cadets all chuckled and made more comments until Capt Conkey turned in his seat and frowned at them. That caused Willy to blush with embarrassment, knowing it was really just bad manners.

After the parade there was a barbeque. During it Willy sought out Andrew and his friends and congratulated him. He ended up talking to Andrew, Blake, Carmen and Andrew's girlfriend Tina.

Andrew drained a cup of orange cordial then said, “Willy, are you still planning this expedition to the Cape in a few weeks time?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Because Carmen and I still want to come. But we might have to work to pay our way,” Andrew answered.

“Work? What sort of work?” Willy asked.

“Graham's dad is going to put us on the payroll. We have to join the Seaman's Union. That costs a bit so we need the money,” Andrew explained.

It wasn't something Willy had ever thought about but he could imagine it, having some familiarity with the numerous rules and regulations governing aircraft. He said, “Mr Beck, the man who owns the Air Museum in Mareeba, is going to pay for most of it.”

“I've heard of him. Is the museum very good?”

Willy nodded. “Yes. He has lots of interesting things. He even has three tanks and a couple of armoured cars, plus a lot of planes and things. They are all in a big old hangar. We are going up there tomorrow afternoon to talk to him.”

“Can we come too?” Carmen asked.

“If you like,” Willy replied, adding, “You might have to pay the museum entry fee though.”

“That's alright,” Andrew replied. “That is fair.”

The conversation was interrupted by Willy's mother, insisting they go home. Willy had to agree. He badly wanted to be alone with Marjorie and suggested he be dropped off at her house for a few hours but his mother shook her head. “Certainly not! You have a big day tomorrow and your exams start on Monday. You are not going to tire yourself out staying up late or.. or. er. So that's it.”

That was it. They dropped Stick and Marjorie off, arranging to pick them up at 11:00 the next morning. Then it was home to a quiet night of TV and study. This left Willy feeling very horny and frustrated and as a result he slept badly, with more erotic dreams.

Next afternoon Andrew, Stick and Marjorie were taken to Beck's Museum by Willy's father. Once again Graham was there with Stephen. Graham was in a foul mood and Willy guessed it was because he wanted to be in Castor with Carol. ‘And I wish I was somewhere with Marjorie,' he thought.

Andrew and Carmen arrived with their parents. They were introduced and taken on a tour of the museum. The others strolled along behind. Willy spent most of his time looking at the tanks. The one that really impressed him was the ‘Centurion'.

Mr Beck pointed to the 50 ton, green-painted monster and said, “This one and the ‘Saracen' APC and the ‘Ferret' scout car all still work.”

“Oh! Can we see one drive around?” Stick asked.

Mr Beck shook his head. “No. Sorry. There are all sorts of legal reasons why not, insurance and that sort of thing,” he explained.

That was a disappointment but Willy could only accept it as one of those adult things he knew he would have to face up to one day. He strolled over to have another look at the ‘Airacobra'. Stick and Marjorie joined him, then Mr Beck and the others.

Mr Beck explained the aircraft to the adults, then said, “We are hoping to add to the collection by adding a ‘Kittyhawk' fighter and a ‘Beaufighter'.”

“These are the ones crashed up on Cape York that the kids want to help you find?” Mr Collins asked.

“Yes, that's right,” Mr Beck answered.

Marjorie piped up to add, “We are not the only ones trying to get them either.”

Mr Beck looked at her. “Aren't we? Who else is trying to get them?”

Marjorie screwed her face up in concentration and said, “I can't remember his name. A man who collects old aeroplanes. He has an aircraft collection too.”